Issue - meetings

This item was considered as urgent business as the papers had not been placed on public deposit with the required five clear days’ notice.

Mrs L Totman, Head of Corporate Parenting, was in attendance for this item.

1.         Mrs Totman introduced the report, which set out the background and context of the review of the Appledore Centre and the reason for asking the Cabinet Member to agree to delay its closure. She highlighted that, since drafting the report, the costs quoted in paragraph 4 (3) had reduced from £300k to £100k, but £30k was paid to the Youth Service for rent so the cost to KCC was  £70k for the Centre to ‘tick over’ for a few months.

2.         Mrs Whittle added that the heightened risk identified by the Kent Safeguarding Children’s Board Trafficking Sub-Group had made it obvious that the closure of the Centre should be delayed until after the summer, as previous Olympics had coincided with a rise in unaccompanied children travelling to the host nation. While it is not possible to anticipate what incidents might arise during the summer, it is important to be ready in case the risk becomes a reality.

3.         Mrs Totman and Mrs Imray answered questions of detail, explaining the following:-   

a)         consultees had included Trades Unions, although these had been omitted from the list in paragraph 2 of the report;

b)         some staff previously employed at the Appledore Centre have moved to Millbank, retaining the same hours and salary level, which has allowed the KCC to employ fewer agency staff at the latter.  Other Appledore staff had moved to work with the Short Breaks units for disabled children; 

c)         the unit cost of permanent staff rises when there are fewer young people accommodated, so the use of agency staff to supplement permanent staff allows the flexibility to accommodate fluctuations in numbers;

d)         the Centre’s buildings will be kept in a good condition so it can be opened and be up and running quickly if needed.  The resident handyman will remain on site to care for the buildings.  A Regulation 33 inspector has visited the Centre and is satisfied with its condition and suitability to accommodate and support young people; and

e)         Foster Care remains the ideal option for placing vulnerable young people, but when young people first arrive in the UK they need to be accommodated somewhere in which they can be assessed in safety.  Once the children have been assessed,they are placedin fostercare.

4.         Comments and views expressed by Members included the following:-

a)         it is good that the emergency in UASC numbers which had required the Centre to first be opened no longer exists;

b)         in closing the Centre, it is important to acknowledge and record the work done there, and the enormous difference it has made to young people’s lives; and

c)         KCC is duty bound to protect any UASC who might be at risk of trafficking, and keeping the Centre open for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7